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[VIDEO] Barrett-Jackson to Auction Ron Pratte Collection

by Rick Tavel on May 30, 2014

Barrett-Jackson® confirmed today in a conversation and subsequent press release that they will offer one of the most significant automobile collections in the world at their Scottsdale Auction in January 2015, the esteemed Ron Pratte collection. A spokesperson for Barrett-Jackson confirmed in a phone interview that the final details for liquidating the major part of Pratte’s collection at the 2015 Scottsdale auction are being finalized by Craig Jackson, Steve Davis and Gary Bennett. Due to the size and significance of the collection a special catalog will be produced as soon as all of the details have been decided. The importance and magnitude of the event was best summarized by Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson, “This is going to create excitement beyond anything we’ve ever seen.” And based on excitement the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Collection Auction” has produced, that is clearly is saying a lot.

Most enthusiasts and collectors recognize Ron Pratte as the quiet, low key collector sitting in the front row of Barrett-Jackson’s auctions, bidding for the very best cars crossing the block. His preferences were varied and was the high bidder for cars ranging from the $5.5M Shelby Super Snake Cobra to the $4.1M General Motors Futurliner. In January of 2012 he sold a Tucker Torpedo from his collection at Barrett-Jackson for over $2.9M.

In a thirteen year period the Chandler, Arizona, businessman and entrepreneur has assembled a world renowned automobile collection which encompasses hundreds of significant muscle, sports, racing, custom and classic cars, trucks, motorcycles and special interest vehicles, as well as thousands of pieces of automobilia.

In addition to the millions of dollars he has invested in his collection, he has also donated millions of dollars during Barrett-Jackson’s auctions to several charities including the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, the National Marrow Donor Program, Muscular Dystrophy as well as donated millions to several veteran’s charities and organizations.

Pratte compiled his massive collection in a little over a decade and has been a part of many of the most exciting and greatest moments at Barrett-Jackson’s extravaganzas.
In 2003 Pratte bought over 50 cars at Barrett-Jackson to start his collection and since then has added to it continually, much of it during Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale events. Though he enjoys cars of all types, he is particularly fond of Carroll Shelby’s cars paying $5.5M for Shelby’s Super Snake Cobra and millions for several Shelby Cobras, including $675K for Carroll Shelby’s personal 1969 Shelby GT500. But Pratte also likes Corvettes and several reside in his diverse collection, which includes the heavily promoted “Last Sting Ray,” subject of a three part TV show and once owned by well known Corvette expert Terry Michaelis.

“This is arguably the most significant collection ever offered in Barrett-Jackson history,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We are so privileged to be given this opportunity to showcase Ron Pratte’s unparalleled offering.”

Ron Pratte is the founder and former CEO of Pratte Development Company, Inc., one of the biggest wood framing and concrete foundation companies in the United States. Pratte sold the company to Pulte homes at the peak of the housing boom in Arizona and cashed out before the housing market crashed. His collection is not open to the public and being intensely private Pratte avoids most media contact and requests for interviews. He does open the collection occasionally for the benefit of charity.

As more details become available Barrett-Jackson will keep enthusiasts updated on their site www.Barrett-Jackson.com

Here’s a previous feature of Pratte’s collection from the 2012 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction:

Rick Tavel writes about automobiles with an emphasis on Corvettes and the hobby in general. You can see his website at Corvetted

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